Buying guide?

[spy]

Since I sold my series 3 at the weekend, I am going to look at a disco tomorrow!  Its a K reg 200tdi, 110k.  

Can anyone give me anything in particular I should be lookin for when I go?  I know boot floors can be a problem but the structural stuff should be solid, it just passed its MOT.

Obviously i will be driving it, counting the oil leaks ;) etc but is there anything else?  Will this have a diff lock to try and engage?


Any tips gratefuly received!

Thanks people

Mike

[Pike]

Inner wings,boot floor,seat belt mountings,electrical switches,central locking(make sure all doors lock and unlock),door handles,wear on gearbox mainshaft(£££££),the rest is an easy fix.

[spy]

Thanks for that! Gearbox mainshaft wear?  Does that show its self with a clunk somewhere?

Thanks again,

Mike

[Spooky]

The mainshaft wear problem manifested itself on the R380 gearbox ... which a 200-series doesn't have.  However, check for driveline slack (rock the vehicle using first and reverse) - there will be some (after all, it's 12 years old!), but if it seems excessive, walk away.

The biggy (other than the rot as already discussed) is when the Cambelt was last changed.  If there's no indication of this, budget for doing it soonest (ie negotiate a suitable discount).

And YES, it does have a diff lock!  If the transfer lever is stiff to operate, don't worry too much - it just means that it hasn't been used often ...

[Pike]

And the  lt77 mate!!!!!!cos I had mine done (by previous owner)about £650.00!!!!!

[Pike]

slide the difflock lever to the left,the yellow light on the dash should go on after a couple of secs if it doesnt either bulb has gone in dash or it dont work!!!,it could be stiff due to lack of use.

[fish]

I would check the brake disc thicknesses (12mm when new) and brake pipes for corrosion. I didnt when I bought mine, cost £250 to get discs and pads sorted.

[Rangie3.0LtrDan]

fish jesus, thats steep!!  its about £15 for discs each from mm 4x4 and about £25 for front and same for rear for pads!

[fish]

I forgot to mention my £250 included a couple of calipers!

[thermidorthelobster]

Biggest problem is likely to be rusty boot floor, plus gearbox mainshaft clunk, which can be a total killer in the LT77 and will cost you up to a bag of sand if it needs doing.

Apart from that, make sure it drives nicely, PAS box isn't leaking, no dents in roof from carpark barrier arguments, no evidence of leaks around sunroofs (although this might be asking a bit much).  Look for rust around the rear wheel arches, and around the tailgate, and make sure the tailgate doesn't sag excessively.

I bought one which looked like a total shed - hadn't been cleaned inside or out for about 8 years I reckon - but once all the crud had been shifted, it was actually a really decent motor underneath.  But it did cost me a new gearbox and PAS box, which I factored into the purchase price.

[thermidorthelobster]

central locking(make sure all doors lock and unlock)

This is also an easy fix - new actuator about £7/8 from Maplins.  They do tend to go, but I wouldn't be put off.